The National Weather Service has postponed statewide tornado drills in Missouri and Kansas because stormy weather is in the forecast.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety said in a news release that the drill had been scheduled for Tuesday. But the release said it was moved to 1:30 p.m. Thursday because of the potential for severe weather Tuesday afternoon and evening in the northeast part of the state.

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Because of showers and storms in the forecast for Kansas, the Kansas drill has been moved to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The agency wants to avoid possible confusion about whether a severe weather warning is real.

During the drill, people are urged to practice seeking shelter. The best spot is an interior room without windows in the lowest level of a building.

The National Weather Service said the sirens would not sound in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday to avoid any issues with the St. Patrick's Day parade.